How Canadian are you? or Who gives a $hit?

All this Steve Nash, Captain Canada, Oh-the-marketing-possibilities talk has got me curious. I wonder how big a part Canadian patriotism plays in determining the Raptor's fan base.

I'm a Canadian expat with perhaps less national pride than the average Canadian, but I definitely root for the Raptors mostly because they're a Canadian franchise. Yet, I have lots of Canadian friends that favor various American teams for no particular reason. I also have Irish friends that follow certain English soccer teams closely. For many people, a team's geography has little to do with their popularity. But I suspect in the Raptor's case, it's a big deal. And, I'll bet very few Americans root for the Raps or any other Canadian sports franchise.

Since we, here, are all definitely bona fide Raptors fans, let's take an enlightening survey and see what the stats tell us. People can post their own particular reasons for liking the Raptors too, in the ensuing thread. Maybe this would even help defuse some of the silly bickering (much of it involving personal attacks) that has been going on lately. I likely won't be typing any more than I already have, but voting in a poll is pretty easy.

Born here (London Ont .. but close enough) .. lived here most of my life. Spent a few years in the US (mostly SF area) .. and caught the Raps whenever they were in town to play the Warriors. Consider the Raps the only TO team that I really cheer for .. cant stand the Leafs, indifferent on the Jays. I guess thats because the I had forged other teams (mostly Detriot - Lions, Tigers, Wings) growing up .. but when the Raps came to TO, they were "mine". Dont feel any "patriotic" need per se to cheer for the Raps (or any other Canadian team) .. but like the fact that they werent imposed upon me and feel a strong connection through the highs (VC/TMac early days) and the lows (well, everything else .. )

Born in Montreal, spent a few years overseas, and have lived in Burlington/Oakville ever since (with a 4 year pit stop in London, ON. getting my edumacation). During that time, I played high school ball, and intramural ball at university. I dislocated my knee cap a few too many times recently, so I now live vicariously through the NBA.

My favourite team growing up were the Magic. Penny Hardaway was my hero. But once the Raptors were born, I was in love.

I'm a Habs fan and a Jays fan, but the Raptors are the only team I'm passionate about enough to log into a forum and discuss personal information with strangers

Born in Egypt, from an Egyptian father and Canadian-Chinese mother. I was born with Canadian Citizenship and Toronto (where I live) is multicultural, so I can be proud to say that I'm Canadian.

Never really was into sports, except for when I was young, until last year. Followed the Raps since. You guys have been helpful to me learning about the NBA. I also credit r/nba , NBA 2k, and playing fantasy basketball as well as real life basketball.

Born in Toronto to a Canadian mother and Australian father, but moved to Australia while still in school, and have been here long enough to consider myself Australian. Kind of fun the last couple years, as basketball is slowly growing a bigger following here. Used to only know one guy I could talk NBA with, but now plenty of younger people are getting into it.
Problem is, lot of bandwagoners (Heat, Bulls, Celtics and OKC). Do work with a 2nd generation Russian who started going for the Jazz because of AK47, so that's cool.

Born in Southern Ontario. Have been following the raptors since day one. Was always a big nba fan prior to getting a team. My favorite team prior to the raptors existing was The Phoenix Suns. Loved watching Barkley, KJ and Thunder Dan.

I think the passion for this team comes from enjoying the sport prior and then being there since the beginning. I have been witness to everything that has happened with this team since day 1. I cant say that about the Leafs and I was too young when the Jays started up. Plus baseball isn't my cup of tea.

Probably why this Nash thing stung so much. I still followed the suns after the raptors got here. I still remember BC trading away Thunder Dan in PHX for nothing. This is the second time I have had to be a fan of a team with his brash moves.

Personal Observations

I have personally noticed two things.

1) There is a large population in Toronto that hate on the Raptors for no real legitimate reason other than to hate on the Raptors. For example back in the Jalen Rose days I was at a Raps/Sacramento game and some young 12-13 year old punk was just cheering at crunch time every time the Raps blew and opportunity or Sacramento hit a shot. You could just tell he wasn't a Sacramento fan and was just another anti-Raptors dummy. So of course when Jalen hit a baseline jumper to win the game I leaned over and screamed YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH, right in his ear. I think he go my point.

2) The NBA more than any other sport on the planet has fans that support players more so than teams. I was sitting a Raps/Detroit game beside two kids that were cheering (very quietly) for the Pistons. At one point I turned and said "Be real with me, are you guys Detroit fans, or Iverson fans". To which they admitted they were Iverson fans. Oddly enough Iverson wasn't even on the floor that night, as the trade had just recently taken place. That didn't stop these guys from jumping ship from Denver to Detroit. I've seen it with Lebron, Melo and KG. Its weird. I don't get it.

Born in Toronto to a Canadian mother and Australian father, but moved to Australia while still in school, and have been here long enough to consider myself Australian. Kind of fun the last couple years, as basketball is slowly growing a bigger following here. Used to only know one guy I could talk NBA with, but now plenty of younger people are getting into it.
Problem is, lot of bandwagoners (Heat, Bulls, Celtics and OKC). Do work with a 2nd generation Russian who started going for the Jazz because of AK47, so that's cool.

Always liked the Raptors cause I was into dinosaurs at a young age and thought the logo was cool! Bring back the Purple!

Anyways, My first encounter with the Raptors was in NBA Live 1997 on the computer living in Malaysia. After playing a season mode with the Damon Stoudamire as my star man, I couldn't support any other team. Another highlight moment for me was catching Jose Calderon leading the team to a playoff victory against the magic!

Then after that game I started following the raptors through raptors.com with their Game in 6 minutes cause I can't watch the games live due to time difference.

But the best thing that happened was stumbling onto raptorsrepublic! hilarious and cynical, always soothes the pain after a loss.

Was born and brought up in India. Have lived in Canada since 1994. Love India, love Canada and love the Raptors. As far as Steve Nash is concerned this is how I see it- after successfully playing in the NBA, he had reached a point in his career where his choices were to either help the only franchise in his home Country grow and gain respect in the league or play for a potential Champion. If he ends up with a championship he will have the satisfaction of having a title and will be remembered for it. If he had chosen the Raptors, he would have had the satisfaction of doing what he could to help the only NBA franchise in his home Country. Selfishness Vs Character. We all know what he chose.

Was born and brought up in India. Have lived in Canada since 1994. Love India, love Canada and love the Raptors. As far as Steve Nash is concerned this is how I see it- after successfully playing in the NBA, he had reached a point in his career where his choices were to either help the only franchise in his home Country grow and gain respect in the league or play for a potential Champion. If he ends up with a championship he will have the satisfaction of having a title and will be remembered for it. If he had chosen the Raptors, he would have had the satisfaction of doing what he could to help the only NBA franchise in his home Country. Selfishness Vs Character. We all know what he chose.

I'm indian too. Cept i was born in toronto and raised in Brampton. I mainly follow the Raps because they are a canadian team and because random A-Holes, like Deadallus pointed out, diss them for no apparent reason. I've been watching raptors ball on and off and just really started getting hooked 2 years ago and i don't plan on stopping cause big things are coming. I can't wait to see the look on some of my friends faces when the Raps make the playoffs and kick ass. They've dissed the raptors ever since i began watching them and once they start winning they won't have shit to say about them. Like Deadallus pointed out there are a shit load of people that just root for players not teams. You can't be a true fan of a team unless you actually live in that area, so i guess Canadian just resort to bandwagoning players like Lebron. I think some people here, especially nba fans, are too influenced by what americans say about the raptors or canada.